Record changer



Jam. m 1945 R BECWAR 2,368,08

RECORD CHANGER Original Filed May 10, 1940. 3 Sheets-Sheet l I jam 3% 1945. R BECWAR Q 2,368,086

RECORD CHANGER Original Filed May 10, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 X five/2 2 021" s Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed May 10, 1940 Patented Jan. 30, 1945 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE 2,368,086 nnconn CHANGER Rudolph A. Becwar, Chicago, Ill., asslgnor to Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporationof Illinois Original application May 10, 1940, Serial No. 334,414. Divided and this application August 24, 1942, Serial No. 456,109

6 Claims.

334,414 filed May 10, 1940 which issued August 25, 1942 as Patent No. 2,293,703.

An object of this invention is to provide an -improved phonograph of the type adapted to play a stack of records in succession.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a record changer for successively releasing into a playing position the lowermost record of a stack of records regardless of the relative thickness of the records in the stack.

A further object of this invention is to provide a honograph having means for successively releasing the lowermost record of a stack of records into a playing position, and including a vertically extended center support with record retaining means spaced upwardly therefrom, and an edge support adapted to tilt the record stack relative to the center support so that the lowermost record is always free of the retaining means regardless of any variations in the thickness of the records.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a record changer adapted for use with either ten inch or twelve inch records, in which a support for supporting the edge of a plurality of records stacked above a turntable is adapted to position stack, in correspondence with the diameter of the records therein, relative to the means for releasing successive records into a playing position on the turntable, to provide for a positive operation of the releasing means for records of widely varying thicknesses.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic record changer which is simple, compact and rugged in construction, positive and efilcient in operation and comprised of a minimum of parts requiring adjustment.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of a phonograph for successively playing a stack of either ten inch or twelve inch records, in which the records are supported above a playing position by a vertically extending center support and an edge support, the records being retained in a supported position by means spaced upwardly from the center support. The edge support is selectively movable to tilt or incline a stack of ten inch records in a reversed direction relative to a stack of twelve inch records to vary the effective clearance between the lowermost record in the stack and the record retaining means'so regardless of any variationsin the thickness of the records, in the particular stack being played, the lowermost record is always free of the retaining means for release 5 from the center and edge supports into a 'playing position;

Yet another feature of this invention is found in the provision of a phonograph in which a stack of records are supported above a turntable 10 by a vertically extending spindle having a center support thereon for the records, and an edge support The records are retained on the two supports by means vertically spaced above the center support and'positioned through the records. An ejector portion at the center support is operable to move the lowermost record of the stack from the two supports for dropping about the spindle into a playing position on the turntable.

The edge support is located out of a horizontal plane through the center support and normal to the axis of the spindle to vary the eflective clearance between the retaining means and the lowermost record so that such record regardless of its thickness, is always free of the aligning means for release into a playing position.

Further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the invention showing the arrangement of the driving system for the trol circuit for the record-changing mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a, view partly in section as seen on line 4-4 in Fig. 5; r

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6 in Fig. 4;

Fig; 7 i a fragmentary sectional view taken on line I-I in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a view illustrated similarly to Fig. '7 showing the parts thereof in a changed position;

Fig. 9 is a developed view of the cam portion enclosed between the lines 9 9 in Fig. 4; and

. Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the turntable spindle showingthe assembly of the record releasing means thereon.

In the practice of this invention the unplayed records are supported in a stacked relation above the turntable of the phonograph or like machine records aligned on the center support. A movable edge support for the records is illustrated inthe drawings as having a pair of shelves or platform portions of different lengths each of which is selectively movable to a position to support a stack of records of a certain size, as for example a stack of ten inch or twelve inch records. It is well known of course that records of the same size may vary in thickness. To provide for a successive releasing of the records into a playing position regardless of the particular size of the tack of records being played or the relative thicknesses thereof, the shelf portions of the edge support are vertically spaced from each other to support the ten inch and twelve inch records so that they arereversely tilted relative to the center support. This reversed tilting of a stack of ten inch and twelve inch records serves to position the lowermost record of a corresponding stack of records free of the aligning portion at the record center support, while retaining the remaining records in the record stack in an engaging position with the aligning portion. As a result regardless of whether ten inch or twelve inch records are being played, or the relative thicknesses of the records in a stack, such records are adapted to be successively released into a playing position on the turntable by merely operating the edge support to move into a record supporting position the shelf portion corresponding to the particular size of the records being played. The record-releasing means is operated by a cam mechanism, including a multiple operating cam which is located below the turntable and adapted to provide for a raising of the tone arm from the record in playing position and for a moving of the arm beyond the circumference of such record prior to the actuation of the record releasing means.

There is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 the usual frame structure 20, turntable 2|, and tone arm 22 for a phonograph or like machine, the turntable 2| being shown with a record 12 supported thereon. The turntable is driven by a low voltage induction motor 23 carried in a suitable manner on the structure 20, the motor shaft being provided with a pulley 24 which is in frictional engagement with the turntable driving pulley 26 which in turn is in frictional engagement with the table rim 21. A shaft or spindle 28 secured to the frame or wall 29 in an obvious manner by the clamping action of the shoulder 29 and nut 3|, rotatably supports the turntable, the hub portion of which includes apulley 32 which is in driving connection with an idler pulley 33 through a flexible spring drive 34. The pulley 33 is mounted at the upper end of a countershaft 38 which is rotatably supported in a bushing member 31, the member 31 being uitably secured in the wall 20 as by welding or like means. An idler pulley 38 isfastened to the lower end of the countershaft 36 by screw means such as 39, the pulley 38 being in driving connection with a pulley 4| which is rotatably mounted at the lower end of a stub shaft 42; the shaft 42 being mounted in the wall 20 by screw means 43 and the pulley 4| being maintained on the shaft 42 by screw means 44. Pulleys 33 and 38 act as reduction pulleys between the pulleys 32 and 4|, with the entire pulley system being in operation concurrently with an operation of the motor 23. A serrated fiange 49 formed on the upper side of the tially dish form, having a bottom 49 and an outer wall 49, and may be suitably formed as by die casting or like means. The wall 49 is provided with an outwardly projecting annular flange or peripheral rim 5|, which has cam faces or working surfaces 52 and 53 formed on opposite sides thereof, the low portion or spot 54 of the upper cam.52 being ubstantially opposite the high spot 56 of the lower cam 53 (Figs. 2 and 9). Cam followers 51 and 58, in operative association with the cam surfaces 52 and 53, respectively, are angulariy spaced relative to each other so that the operative effects provided by the low and high pulley 4| provides for a driving engagement of the pulley 4| with an operating cam 41 in a manner to be later fully described.

The cam 41 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) is of substanspots, 54 and '55, respectively, in the operation of the record-changing mechanism occur in sequence rather than concurrently as will be later fully described. An inner wall 59 projects upwardly from the camv bottom 48 and includes a portion of the cam hub 5|, the wall 59 being continuous in extent and substantially equal in height to the outer wall 49, with the vertical surface 62 thereof acting as a cam face or working surface for a corresponding cam follower 53. The portion of the cam surface 52, which is included between the lines 64, i of corresponding contour with the oppositely disposed inner side of the wall 49 to form a guiding s1 0t 65 for the follower 63. It is thus seen that a closed recess 66 is formed within the inner wall 59 and a groove 61 of varying width between the walls 49 and 59; The groove 51 is of uniform width and. guiding to the follower 53 only between the lines 54 at the slot 65 and i of varying width over its remaining length, its greatest width being in the zone designated as 68 which occurs at the end of the slot 65 and between the hub 6| and a confining wall 69 adjacent the low spot 54 of cam surface 52, for a purpose to be later fully explained. The outer wall 49 near the end of the slot 55 is increased in section to accommodate an aperture or opening 59 of a size to receive therein a pivotal lever or pawl 1| which is adapted for engagement with the serrated flange 46 of the pulley 4|,in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Actuation of the cam follower 51 on movement of the cam 52 is adapted to provide for a lifting or a lowering of the tone arm 22 from the turntable 2|, and specifically from a record 12 which is supported in a playing position on the turntable (Fig. 5). The follower 51 is of angular shape and includes a straight portion 13 and a bent portion 14, the portion 14 being inclined upwardly into the hollow tone arm 22. The straight portion 13 is slidably and rotatably supported in a sleeve member 19, which in turn is rotatably supported in a bearing block or bushing 11, which i suitably mounted on the frame 20. The bent portion 14 is adapted to engage the upper side of the tone arm 22 which is pivoted at 18 to a supporting leg member 19 which in turn is rotatably supported on the bushing 11. The upper end of the sleeve 16 is secured to the member 19, by welding or like means, so that the sleeve 15 is angularly or rotatably movable with the tone arm 22 through the leg member 19. It is thus seen that the operating position of the cam follower 54 relative to the tone arm 22 remains unchanged during any swinging movement of the arm across the record 12.

The lower end of the sleeve 19 projects outwardly from the bushing 11 to provide for a mounting at such and of a rocker arm 9|, the arm and sleeve being held together in frictional engagement by means of a holding screw 92 or like means. The free end of the arm 8| (Fig. 4) is pivotally connected at 88 to the end portion 84 of a'selector link or lever arm 88, the end portion 84 being of suflicient width to also provide for the rotatable mounting therein oi the cam follower 63 at a distance from the pivotal connection 83. Angular movement of the rocker arm 8| and hence of the sleeve 18 and tone arm 22in one direction is thus obtained on actuation of the cam follower 63 by the cam 82. The end 81 of the lever arm 86 is provided with a slot'88 to slidingly receive therein a pin member 89 which is mounted in a flat plate or selector disc 9 I.

The disc 9I is mounted at the lower end of a shaft 92 (Fig. 6) as by welding or like means, the shaft 92 being rotatably supported in a bushing or sleeve 93, which is suitably secured to the cabinet wall 28. The upper end of the shaft is Dinconnected, as indicated as P in Fig. 5, to a platform or shelf 94 of curved contour which is adapted to provide an edge support for a stack of records 95 located vertically above the turntable 2 I, the shelf 94 being rotatably supported on the upper end of the sleeve or stand 93. As shown in Fig. 1, .the projected surface area of the shelf is of substantially rectangular form, the shelf being positioned on the stand 93' in a manner to provide for-unequal shelf lengths 96 and. 91 on opposite sides of the stand. A rotation of the shelf of 180 degrees thus provides for a supporting shelf of a different length for records of different diameter, the hort length 96 being adapted to support the stack of twelve inch records 95 and the long length 9'! being adapted to support a stack of ten inch records I88, in a manner to be hereinafter fully described.

The 180 degree rotation of the shaft 92 moves the end 81 of the selector arm 86 from one side of the shaft 92 to the other side thereof through the sliding action of the pin 89 in the slot 88 (Fig. 4), the limits of rotation being defined by the engagement of the notches 98 in the selector disc 91 with the pin 99 in the spring-tensioned pivotal indexing lever I 8|. When the record edge support 94 is positioned to support ten inch records the arm 86 is in the position indicated by the dot-dash lines. On rotating the support 94 to accommodate twelve inch records the arm 88 is moved to the position indicated by the full lines, this movement of the arm 86 providing for a movement of the rocker arm 8| and specifically the pivotal connection83 thereof-relative to the cam follower 83, the position of which is practically unchanged on movement of arm 88 by rotation of the support. Since the angular movement of the rocker arm 8! controls directly the angular movement or swing of the tone arm 22, the movement of the rocker arm downwardly to the left as seen in Fig. 4 provides for an initial starting position of the tone arm 22 on the record I2 to be played, at an increased distance from the circumference of the turntable 2|, the dotted lines representing the starting position of the tone arm 22 when the platform 94 is positioned to accommodate twelve inch records and the dot-dash lines indicating the starting position of the tone arm 22 when ten inch records are to be played. It is thus seen that after a positioning of the platform 94 in correspondence with the diameter of the records to be played, the operation of the roller 53 by the cam 82 and the roller 54 by the cam 52 controls the swing of the tone arm 22 and the lift of the arm 22, respectively, relative to the record being played.

The cam follower 58, which is operatively associated with the cam face 52 of the multiple cam 41, is rotatably mounted at one end of a crank arm I82 which is pivotally supported in a bearing member I88 suspended from the cabinet wall 28 (Figs. 4 and 5). The opposite end I84 of the crank arm I82 is provided with an adjusting screw I88 which is adapted to abutting- 1y. engage the lower end of an operating member I8'I which is slidably supported axially of the spindle or shaft 28 (Fig. 5). The spindle 28 is formed with an off-set upper portion I88 to form a shoulder I89, the shoulder I89 acting as a center support for the stack of unplayed records which are located above the turntable 2|.

An eccentric cap or sleeve member I I I substantially equal in diameter to the body portion of the spindle 28 is rotatably mounted about the offset portion. In the positioning of a stack of records above the turntable 2I the sleeve III is rotated until substantially its thinnest wall section H2 is positioned at the shoulder I 89to provide for an alignment of the records on the shoulder (Fig. 10).

A trigger or trip lever H3 is pivotally connected at I I4 to the shaft 28 and is completely 1 retractable in an axially extending groove H6 in the bottom of the groove above the shoulder I89. An inclined side portion H8 at the lower end of the lever is adapted for slidable engagement with the upper end of the operatin member I81, to provide for an outward movement of a nose or projecting finger II9, formed at the upper end of the lever I I3, through the opening I I! immediately above the shoulder I89 for a purpose to be later described. 0n retraction of the member I81 from its engagement with the side portion I I8, as by the spring-retained means *I2I (Fig. 5), the finger I I9 is removed from the opening III by a spring I22 arranged in compression in the spindle 28 between the lever I13 and the bottom of the groove H6. The pivotal movement of the trip lever II3 by the operating mem-' ber I8'I' provides for an engagement of the finger II9 with the lowermost or bottom record at the aperture I23 formed at the center of the record. Since the finger H9 is of a length to extend completely over the shoulder I89, the record 95' is pushed clear of the shoulder and into centering engagement about the lower portion "of the spindle 28, the spindle being of a diameter somewhat less than the diameter of the record aperture I23. Since the lever H3 is completely retractable within the spindle 28 the record 95' is thus entirely released and free to fall into a playing position on the turntable 2|.

As is best illustrated in Fig. 5, the shoulder or center support I89 is of a depth commensurate with the extent or length of the support given the edges of the records 95 by the supporting platform 94. The movement of the lowermost record 95 from the shoulder I 89 is thus suflicient to effect a complete separation of the record 95 from the platform 94, so that the record is entirely unsupported in its drop to the turntable 2|, except for its centering engagement about the spindle 28. The trigger or record releasing means H3 is thus operable to provide for a separation or release of a record 95, from a stack of unplayed records 95, by engaging the record at its immediate central portion at the aperture I 23.

In the arrangementof the records I 88 and 95 in a stacked formation it is readily apparent that considerable friction may occur between the lowermost record I and 00' and the next adjacent record IIIA and "A, respectively. Since this frictional factor similarly eflects the ten inch and twelve inch records the following descrlption will refer to the twelve inch records. Particularly when the stack 95 is rather high this friction will tend to provide for a movement of the record "A with the record 95' during the record-releasing operation. Also, it is wellknown that records of the same diameter differ widely in thickness and that twelve inch records are generally of a greater thickness than ten inch records. The supporting shelf 94, therefore, is adapted to position the records 95 on the shoulder I09 to provide for a positive engagement of the finger II9 with the lowermost record 95, and of the eccentric sleeve member II2 with the record 95A, irrespective of the relative thicknesses of such records, to prevent any moving of the record 95A with the record 95' .when it is being pushed from the shoulder I09.

With reference to Figs. 5 and the lower end of the eccentric cap member 2 is illustrated as being located above the shoulder I09 a distance indicated by the lines AB, the finger I I9 being adapted for projection through the opening II1 formed between the shoulder and such lower end. In the horizontal positioning of the records 95, that is at right angles to the spindle 28, it is readily understood that the distance between the shoulder I09 and the lower end of the cap member I I2, should correspond to the thickness of an unusually thick twelve inch record to assure the release of all twelve inch records on actuation of the lever II3. However, in some cases, it might happen that this provision for a very thick twelve inch record would result in the space between the shoulder I09 and cap member I I2 being sufficiently great to exceed in extent the combined thicknesses of two ten inch records, which are thinner than the usual ten inch records. In the event two such records were positioned adjacent each other it is apparent that both records might be released at one time by the releasing lever I I3. To provide for a positive operation of the releasing means to release only one record, irrespective of the relative thicknesses of the records in the stacks 95 and I00, the ends 96 and 91 of the supporting shelf 94 are vertically offset from each other, so that the end portion 96 which is adapted for the support of the twelve inch records is below horizontal alignment with the shoulder I09 and the ten inch record supporting portion is above horizontal alignment with the shoulder I09. The twelve inch records, which are illustrated in Fig. 10 in full lines, are thus tilted or inclined in one direction relative to the shoulder I09 so that the portion 90 of the powermost record 95 is dropped below the wall portion I26 of the cap member I I2 to a point lower than it would occupy if the record was in a horizontal position. The record 95' is thus entirely clear of the wall portion I26 to provide for its dropping into a playing position on the turntable 2| on operation ,of the trip lever II3. In the playing of ten inch records, which are illustrated in Figs. 5 and 10 in dotted lines, the shelf portion 91 provides for a tilting of the record I00 in a direction from the shoulder I09 reversed relative to the angle of support for the twelve inch records so as to raise I the record portion 90' of record IO0A into positive a: :angement with the wall portion I26. The record I00, therefore, is alone moved from the shoulder I09 on actuation of the trip lever II3. By virtue of the reversed tilting of the records aaoaoeo i and twelve inch records, irrespective of the thickness of such records. It is to be understood that the nose or projecting finger I I9 is of a. size commensurate with the thickness of the thinnest record which might be played, so that engagement of the nose with only one record will be made regardless of the thickness of such record. when all of the records such as 95 or I00 have been played and it is desired to remove the records from the turntable 2|, the member III is rotated to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, to form a shaft or spindle 28 which is in peripheral alignment over its entire length. Since the pivotal lever H3 is completely retractable within the spindle I28, the spindle is thus unobstructed over its entire length, so that the records successively positioned on the turntable 2| may all be removed at one time and in a stack from the spindle 20. It is understood, of course, that prior to the lifting of the records from the spindle the shelf 94 is rotated out of its engaging position with the records 95 or I00 and into a position with a longitudinal side facing the spindle 28, so as to be clear of the records being lifted from the turntable 2|.

The operation of the above described recordchanging apparatus is controlled through an electric control circuit which is closed in response to a predetermined operating position of the tone arm 22 on the record 12, supported in playing position on the turntable 2|. The circuit (Fig. 3) is illustrated as adapted for energization from a suitable electrical source through a transformer I21 and includes a solenoid I28, a lock out switch I29, 9. control switch I3I and a reject button I32; the switch I3I and reject button I32 being arranged in parallel to provide for separate closing of the circuit.

The solenoid I28 (Fig. 4) is supported in a the solenoid being arranged in a position above the pulley 4| and near the circumference of the cam 41. An armature I34 electrically associated with the solenoid is pivotally connected to the frame member I33, the connecting pin I36 in the member I33 being also slidable in the elongated slot I31 formed in the armature, for a purpose to be later described. The armature I34 is of substantially angular cross-section, one leg I30 thereof being magnetically attractible to the solenoid I28 and the other leg I39 acting as a supporting shelf for the dog or pawl member 1| which is pivotally connected to the cam 41 and arranged within the opening 69. The dog 1| is adapted for engagement with one of the serrations in the serrated flange 46 to provide for a driving of the cam 41 by the continuously rotating pulley 4|; the spring I 4| serving to bias the dog into an engaging position with a serration (Fig. 7). When the solenoid I26 is not energized the armature I34 is urged into a supporting or holding position with the dog II by a spring I42, which is connected at one end to the member I33 and at its opposite end to the armature I34 (Fig. 8). The armature I34 and dog 1| thus act as a clutch, which is operable to provide for a driving of the cam 41 by the pulley 4|, which in turn is driven by the turntable motor 23. Conaseaoac trol switch I3I is comprised of a pair of contact arms I43 which are mounted on a frame I44 depending from the wall 29, the arms being suitably insulated from the frame I44 and from each other by insulating member I45. The gap between the arms I43 is adjusted by an adjustable cam I41 which is held in the frame plate 20, the cam being in sliding engagement with the outer one of the contact arms I43. Adjustment is thus readily made by turning the cam I41, which moves the outer contact arm I43 relative to the inner contact arm, to provide for a variation in the gap between the arms. The free end of the outer contact arm is provided with a flat extension or plate I48 which is adapted for frictional engagement with a pair of spaced fingers I49 (Flgagi and 6), the fingers I49 being mounted on the rocker arm 8| and hence movable with the rocker arm so as to move with the tone arm 22 in its travel across the record I2 being played;

The operation of the invention is best understood from Fig. 4 in which the multiple or operating cam 47 and its associated cam followersare illustrated in the positions which they assume when the tone arm 22 is in a starting position on the record to be played; the record 12 being indicated from the full line position of the rocker arm 8|, as a twelve inch record although it is to be understood that the operation is the same for either a ten or a twelve inch record. This operating condition represents a neutral position of the cam 41, the cam being out of engage- .ment with the pulley 4| and the spaced fingers I49 being out of engagement with the projecting plate I48 of the outer contact arm I43. As the tone arm 22 moves inwardly across the record I2 toward the spindle 28 the rocker arm 8| is moved inwardly toward the shaft 42, the follower 63 being out of contact with the cam surface 82 and moving freely in the widened portion 68 of the groove 61 during the entire playing of the record, with the follower 51 being at the low spot 54 of the cam 52 and the follower 58 bein in engagement with the low portion of the cam 53 (Figs. 2 and 9); the confining wall 60 serving to maintain the follower 63 within the zone 68 and out of any possible engagement or interference with the follower 51. When the tone arm 22 is in partial traversal of the record I2 the fingers I49 frictionally engage the plate I48, but since the pressure exerted by the fingers on the plate is in a direction to maintain open thecontact arms I43, that is in a direction urging the outer contact arm against the cam I4'I, the control or solenoid circuit is maintained open. Howi ever, on the record being completed the tonearm is carried to the eccentric groove II (Fig. 1 which is formed at the center of the record, to provide for an oscillating movement of the tone arm on the record. When the tone arm is first moved outward in a direction away from the spindle 28, by its oscillating movement in the groove I5I, the fingers on rocker arm 8| are moved in a direction towards the shaft 42, wh ch movement provides for a pulling inwardly of the outer contact arm I43 away from the cam I41 and into contact with the inner contact arm whereby to close the control circuit for the record changing apparatus, the circuit being comprised of conductor I52, solenoid I28, the closed switch I29, control switch I3I and conductor I53.

Closing of the control circuit by the contact arms I43 energizes the solenoid I28 to provide for an actuation of the armature I34 to release the dog II for engagement with the pullley 4|,

rotation of the cam 41 being obtained immediately upon the engagement of the dog II because of the continuous rotation of the pulley 4|. In the rotation of the cam 41 in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 4, the cam face 52 acts first to operate the cam follower 51 to raise the tone arm 22 from the record I2 prior to any outward swinging or angular movement of the arm towards the circumference of the record. After the arm 22 has been raised to clear the record, the cam follower 83 is engaged by the cam 32 to effect a movement of the tone arm 22 outward from the spindle 28 towards the circumference of the recof the record 12, which position is indicated on the cam 62 by the portion between the lines I54, the cam follower 58 is engaged by the high spot 56 of the cam 53 to provide for an actuation of the operating member IIlI (Fig. 5) by the crank arm I02, the operating member IDI moving the pivotal lever II3 to release the bottom record 95' of the stack of records 95 from its supported position on the center support I89 and edge support 96, in the manner previously fully described. The record 95' is thus dropped into a playing position on the turntable 2| only after the tone arm 22 is completely removed from the face of the record I2 which has been played. After release of the record 95 into a playing position on the turntable 22, the cam follower I53 continues its travel in the groove to provide for a movement of the tone arm inwardly toward the circumference of the turntable 2|, the cam 52 and .cam follower 51 operating concurrently to provide for a lowering of the tone arm in operative engagement on the newly positioned record.

During the rotation of the cam 4! the fingers I49 are disengaged from the outer contact arm I43 on movement of the rocker arm 8| outwardly from the shaft 42 by the operation of the-cam 62 and its associated follower 63 whereby the solenoid circuit is opened to provide a release of the armature I34, which is immediately pulled back into an engaging position with the dog II by the spring I42. On a continued rotation of the cam 41, the dog II is returned to its'starting position where it is engaged by the armature I34 and lifted out of its engagement with the serrated flange portion 46 of the pulley 4|, to immediately.

stop any further rotation of the cam 41. The armature I34 does not operate to abruptly disengage the dog II from the pulley 4|, but serves to gradually lift the dog II away from the engaged serration by the sliding action of the armature I34 as permitted by the enlongated slot I3'I formed therein. This manner disengaging the dog II effects a smoothness of operation of the record-changing mechanism by the reduction 'of any sudden shocks to the rotating system. The record-changing mechanism is thus returned to its original neutral position and conditioned for the playing of a new record during substantially one complete revolution of the cam 41.

The moving of the contact arms I43 into a closed position by the fingers I49, as explained above, provides for an energization of the solenoid I28 and an immediate release of the dog 1| by the armature I34 for engagement with the serrated flange 46 of pulley 4|, the fingers being initially moved toward the shaft 42 by the os- .ject button I32 (Fig.

I28. This repeat operation, however, does not effect any further control of the record-changing mechanism, since the dog H on initial actuation of the solenoid I28 is immediately engaged by the pulley H and rotated out of an engaging position with the armature I34. The repeat operation, therefore, acts only to move the armature I34, which movement is accompanied by the usual clicking noise. To prevent a repeat operation of the solenoid I28 and the resulting clicking noise, the control circuit (Fig. 3) is provided with a lock out or cam switch I29, which, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6, is comprised of spring contact arms I56 and I51 which are suitably supported on the mounting member I44. The contact arm I51 is provided at its free end with an insulating contact or button I58 which is adapted for engagement with the high portion or spot 56 of cam 53. As is best shown in Fig. 9 this engagement maintains the contact 1 arms I55 and I51 in a closed position when the record-changing mechanism is in its neutral position, the arms I56 and I51 being adapted to open on about the first degrees of rotation of the cam 41, which rotation is sufficient to move the cam portion 56 out of engagement with the button I58. Immediately after the start of rotation of the cam 41, therefore, the button I58 is free of the cam and does not contact the low portion I59 of the cam face 53. It is thus seen that on the initial closing of the contact arms I43 and resulting rotation of the multiple cam 41, the control circuit is opened by the opening of the contact arms I55 and I51 so that a second or repeat closing of the arm I43 is rendered ineffective in energizing the solenoid I28 to actuate the armature I34, the contact arms I56 and I51 remaining in an opened position until the operating cam 41 returns to its neutral position.

In the event it is desired to change the record 12, after it has been only partly played, the re- 3) is operable to eifect an immediate energization of the solenoid I28 independently of the relative positions of the contact arms I43, the solenoid circuit being complete through conductor I52, solenoid I28, closed cam switch I29, reject button or switch I32 and conductor I53, energization of the solenoid acting to release the armature I34 to effect an engagement of the dog H with the pulley M in the manner above noted. On rotation of the cam 41 the operation of the record-changing mechanism is similar to that just described.

The invention is thus seen to provide for a record-changing mechanism which is of simple construction, cheap in cost and which is positively controlled during its operation by electrical means in response to a predetermined operating position of the tone arm on the record being played. A start of operation of the mechanism substantially immediately upon the completion of the playing of a record and the provision of means for stopping the record-changing mechanism immediately after its cycle of operation reduces to a minimum the time required for the changing of a record. The invention further provides an edge support 34 for a plurality of either ten inch or twelve inch records positioned above the turntable 2I, which is adapted to position the records in a manner to provide for a positive release, by the record-releasing means, of only the lowermost record of the stack of records, regardless of the relative thicknesses of the records in such stack. The record-changing mechanism is thus adapted for an efficient operation with either ten inch or twelve inch records and its operation is equally efficient for all records irrespective of their thickness.

It is to be understood that although the invention has been described with particular reference to ten and twelve inch records, it is not to be so limited. It is to be understood also that only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein and that modifications and alterations thereof can be made which are within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a sound reproducing unit for playing a stack of 10 inch or 12 inch records including a rotary turntable for supporting a record in playing position, means for supporting a stack of records above said turntable including a stationary spindle centered relative to said tumtable and extending upwardly therefrom, said spindle having an oiT-set top portion with a shoulder at the bottom of said top portion for supporting the center of said records, means on said top portion for aligning said records for support on said shoulder, with the bottom of said aligning means being spaced from said shoulder a distance less than the thickness of a 12 inch record, movable means for supporting the edge of said records including a plurality of shelf portions of different lengths corresponding to a stack of 10 inch and 12 inch records, said shelf portions being vertically oil-set relative to each other and to said shoulder so that a stack of 10 inch records and a stack of 12 inch records are reversely inclined at an angle relative to the horizontal lane of said shoulder, said angle serving to position the bottom record of a stack of either 10 inch or 12. inch records on said shoulder free of said aligning means while retaining the remaining records in engagement with said aligning means, and means in said center support individually engaging the bottom records in succession and moving the engaged record from said shoulder and said edge supporting means so that it drops into a playing position on said turntable.

2. In a sound reproducing unit having a rotary turntable for supporting a record in playing position, means for supporting a stack of records above said turntable including a movable edge support for said stack of records having a plurality of shelf portions of diflerent lengths thereon, with movement of said edge support to a selected position moving a shelf ,portion to support the edge of a stack of records of a certain size, a stationary spindle centered relative to said turntable and extending upwardly therefrom, said spindle having an offset top portion with a shoulder at the bottom of said top portion for supporting the center of said records, with said records being positioned about said top portion, means on said top portion for aligning said records for support on said shoulder and edge support, the said shelf portions on said edge support. being vertically ofiset relative to each other and to said shoulder so that said records are inclined relative to the horizontal plane of said shoulder at an angle which is dependent upon the selected position of said movable edge support, said supporting angle serving to position the bottom one of saidrecords on said shoulder free of said aligning means while retaining the remaining records in engagement with said aligning means, and a record ejector in said center support movable over said shoulder for individually releasing in succession the lowermost one of said records from said center and edge support into a playing position on said turntable.

3. In a sound reproducing unit, the combination with a rotary turntable for supporting a record in playing position, of means for supporting a stack of records above said turntable including a stationary spindle centered relative to said turntable and extending upwardly therefrom, said spindle having an oflset top portion with a shoulder at the bottom of said top portion for supporting the center of said records, with said records being positioned about said top portion, means on said top portion for aligning said records on said shoulder, the bottom of said aligning means being vertically spaced above said shoulder a distance substantially equal to the thickness of one of such records, a movable support for supporting the edge of said records having shelf portions of different lengths thereon, with movement of said edge support moving a shelf portion to a selected position so as to support the edge of a stack of records of a certain size, said shelf portions being vertically offset relative to each other and lying in horizontal planes arallel to the horizontal plane of said shoulder but out of said horizontal plane so that said records are supported at an angle inclined to the horizontal plane of said shoulder, the particular angle being dependent upon the selected position of said movable edge support, said angle serving to position the bottom one of said records on said shoulder free of said aligning means while retaining the remaining records in engagement with said aligning means, and means in said center support individually engaging the bottom one of said records in succession and moving the engaged rec- 0rd from said shoulder and said edgesupport so that it will drop into a playing position on said turntable.

4. In a sound reproducing unit, the combination with a-rotary turntable for supporting a rec- I 0rd in playing position, of means for supporting a stack of records above said turntable including a stationary spindle centered relative to said turntable and extending upwardly therefrom, said spindle having an-oifset top portion with a shoulder at the bottom of said top portion for supporting the center of said records, with said records being positioned about said top portion,

means on said top portion for aligning said records on said shoulder, the bottom of said aligning means being vertically spaced above said shoulder a distance equal to the thickness of one of such records, a rotatable support for supporting the edge of said records having shelf portions of different lengths thereon, with rotation of said edge support to a selected position moving a shelf portionto support the edge of a stack of records of a certain size, said shelf portions being vertically offset relative to each other and lying in horizontal planes parallel to 'the horizontal lane of said shoulder but out of said horizontal plane, so that said records are supported at an angle inclined to the horizontal plane of said shoulder, the particular angle being dependent upon the selected position of said rotatable edge support, said angle serving to position the bottom one of said records on said shoulder free of said aligning means while retaining the remaining records in engagement with said aligning means, and means in said center support individually engaging the bottom one of said records in succession and moving the engaged record from said shoulder and said edge support so that it will drop into a playing position on said turntable.

5. In a phonograph record changing apparatus for changing various sized records each having a center opening with an enclosing edge, the means for supporting a stack of records above a playing position including a center support for successively supporting the records at the center opening edge of each, and a movable edge support, means spaced upwardly from said center support aligning a stack of records on said two supports, said aligning means being ofiset laterally relative to said center support, and having an annular edge at the bottom thereof, said edge support having a pair of shelf portions vertically spaced from each other and each being out of horizontal alignment with a horizontal line through said center support, one of said shelf portions being above said horizontal line and the other shelf portion being below said line, the center support and a corresponding shelf portion supporting a stack of records of one size so that said records are inclined in one direction relative tothe horizontal at said center support, and alternatively a stack of records of another size are inclined in the opposite direction relative -to a horizontal line at the center support, with a portion of the annular edge of the offset aligning means acting to engage the edge of the center opening of a second record in a stack, and means for electing the lowermost record of a stack from the-center support whilethesecond record is so engaged.

6. In phonograph record changing apparatus for changing various sized records each having a center opening with an enclosing edge, the combination including a vertical center spindle unit having a record support shelf and a record aligner having a bottom edge above said support shelf and with said aligner ofiset laterally relative to said shelf, record edge support means having a plurality of record support portions spaced apart in a vertical direction from one another and each support portion being out of alignment with a horizontal line through said support shelf and positioned relative to such a line that a stack of records of. one size supported on said support shelf and a support portion is inclined in one direction relative to said line and alternatively a stack of another size supported on said'support shelf and another support portion is inclined in another direction relative to said line, said record aligner bottom edge being spaced above said support shelf a distance such that it avoids the center opening edge of the lowermost record in an inclined stack' but engages the center opening edge of a second record in such a stack and retains the same against lateral movement when the lowermost record is ejected, and means for electing the lowermost record in succession from said support shelf and a support portion.

RUDOLPH A. BECWAR. 

